Manifolding platen for typewriters



s Sheefs-Shet i V M.- L. COSSITT MANIFOLDING PLATEN FOR TYPEWfiITERS File ad Sept. 26, 19 23 I INVENTQR. hlwt n av/422 A TTORNEYS.

BY 4 /2 179M? July 22 '1924.

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M. L. COSSITT MANIFOLDING PLATEN FO R TYPEWRITERS fluEyZZ 192%. I

Filed Sept. 26. 192:5

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .L intarl4i? 3 5121 m w T INVENTOR. zzaZa/m fwd/ZZZ" A TTORNEYS Jul 22 ,.1924. 4 1,502,178

" M. L. COSSITT v MANIFOLDING PLATEN FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Sept. 26. 1923 I a Sheets-Sheet 5 IHlllHlli ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 22, 1924. r

f u. are n were MALCOLM L. oossrrr, or OAKLAND,.CALIFOR.NIA,'ASSIGNOR-TO mmronn mans SIONS CORPORATION, OF CARSONQITY,

earner. ors cla.

uEvAnA, a "CORPORATION or unvnna.

'mamrorrmo PLATEN Foe 'r'YrEwnrrEns.

Application filed September 26,1923. Serial 684,814. v

. new and useful Improvements'in Manifold-.

ing .Platens for Typewriters,o f which the following is a specificatipii My invention relates tojsmanifoldi-ng devices for typewriters, and-particularly to a 'platen' having intimately incorporated with it such manifoldin members as will enable a machine supplied originally or sub sequently fitted with said platen to produce j one or more carbon copies efficiently and economic'ally.

My present platen is an improvement upon the platen patented by me and disclosed in Letters Patent of the U. S.- No. 1,467,532, dated Sept. 11, 1923, reference being hereby made to said patent. Qne objectof my present invention is to slmplify the mounting of the manifoldlng-ribbon carrying arms, and the selective-arm-operating mechanlsm.

Another object is to simplify and render more etfiicient the connection by which the change is made from variable to definlte line spacing. I 1

Another object is to provide for the ready fitting of the platen to the machine in such; wise that its adjustment is possibleto insure the initial centering of the manifolding ribbons with respect'to the line of type impact. -Another. object is to simplify and improve the -means by which, at each line spacingmovement of the platen, the man1- folding ribbons when functioning will be moved widthwise in a recipocative path across the line of type impact.

Another object is to provide for the recip- 'rocative movement of said functioning rib--v bons lengthwise of-the line of type impact, and also to provide for both lengthwiseand crosswise movements.

Another objectv is to provide means forprotecting the out-feeding printed sheets as they rise from the platen, from contactwith the elevated manifolding ribbons, then out of use. I

Another object is to provide. for the automatic spreading or-separating movement of. the paper guide fingers away from the face of the platen to enable the manifoldingribhand end of .the

. E Fig. 8. 's a cross section on the VIII VIII of Fig.1, showing the selective bons to rise behind them to position out of use..

.' With these'and other ends-in view, my

invention consists "in,.-the novel constructions, arrangement-sandcombinations comprising my said improvements, which I shall now fully deseribe'by' reference to-the accompanying drawin inflwhicha Fig. 1 is a longitli inal section, broken, of my manifolding platen." I

- Fig.2 is a cross-section on the line II-II of Fig.1,F-showing the ratchetfclutching and releasing feature for definiteand variable line spacing.

Fig. '3 is a cross section on thefline I III -JH 1-, showing the/manifolding ribbons elevated, out of use, and also showing the paper-guide fingers and the lates for separating the outfeeding guide printed sheets from the elevated manifolding ribbons Fig. 4"is a'f perspective view of the yieldabl e locking clip for holding theaxis shaft" 3 1n the positions-to which it is linearly moved, for throwing the line spacing ratchet into and out of the transmission.

1 Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the left platen taken on the line VV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line VIVI of Fig. 5, showing the cam features fork transversely and longitudinally the functioning ribbons.

.18 Oscillating,

9 Fig. 7 is a section on the line VIIVH I of-Fig-(i showing the same.

line

pawl in normal position out of use.

Fig. 9 is a section similar in part to the section of Fig. 8, but showing the selective pawl approaching its functional position.

F1g. 10.is 'a;sim ilar section showing the pawl functioning with relation to the first operating pin 26. Y Fig. 11 1san elevation, broken, of the extreme left hand end. of the platen showing the clutching feature by which the definite line-spacing ratchet'is thrown into and out of the transmission. 7

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing the spring plate 34 for yieldably locking the operating pins 26, 27 and 28 at the limits of their movements.

Fig. 13 is a cross section, similar to the section of Fig. 3, but showing the manifolding ribbons depressed to functional position in the line of type impact. Fig. 14 is a front elevation, broken, of my platen, showing one of the manifoldmg ribbons depressed to functional position, the other ribbons remaining elevated, out of use.

Fig. 15 is an end view, partly in 580M011, showing the mechanism for operating the paper guide fingers, and showing also the guide plates for separating the outfeeding printed sheets from the elevated manifolding ribbons. I

Fig. 16 is an elevation, broken, of one of the nested sleeves which connect the 'arm operating levers at each end, showing the dove-tailed sectional construction of the sleeve necessary for its assembling.

Fig. 17 is an end view of the left hand end of Flg. 16.

Fig. 18 is an end view of the right hand end of Fig. 16.

Referrin to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 indicates end frame members of a platen-carriage. In journals 2 of these members is rotatably and linearly slidably mounted the axis shaft 3 of the platen, said shaft carrying'the turning knobs 3 one at each end shouldered between the opposing inner ends of the journals 2 are the main fixed casings 4 one at each end.. Each casing has an inwardly projecting annular flange 5, the two flanges being connected by a tubular member 6 which is concentric with and widelyspaced from the axis shaft 3. Thus mounted the casings 4 arefixed against endwise movement, and being connected by the tubular member 6, they cannot have any rotary movement provided either one is held against such movement, provision being made for this by means of the counter shaft 42 hereinafter described and used in connection with features yet to be disclosed.

The platen proper comprises the tubular shell 7, the outer cushion cover 8, and the endheads 9, and said platen is mounted for rotation by having its said end heads 9 journalled upon the inwardly extending annular flanges 5 ofthe fixed casings 4.

Within each casing 4 is a housing 1.0 hav-' ing a hub .10 which projects into the annu- H lar flange?) of the casing 4. and is adapted to have both a rotary movement and a' linear movement therein, so that the housing 10 may move both rotatably and longitudinally in its casing. The two housings 10 are connected by a tubular member 11, whereby they move in unison.

Pivoted at 12by their inner extremities 13, Figs. 3 and 13, to and within thehousings 10 are the manifoldinganember carryingarms, here shown as three in number, the shortest or innermost arm being designated by 14, the intervening arm by 15 and the longest or outermost arm by 16. The pivot 12 common to all these arms is located ec centrically to the axis shaft-3, so that the agmsprojecting outward through peripheral the casings 4 may be moved upand back to anelevated position as seen in Fig. 3, and down and forward to a depressed position as seen in Fig. .13, the eccentric location of the pivot 12 causing the free extremities of the arms in their depressed position to lie close to the plane of the front of the platen.

Carried by and between the free extremities of each pairof arms 14, .15 and 16, are the manifolding members, here shown in the shape of short sections of ribbons, 17, 18 and 19 respectively. See Fig. 14. In this Fig. 14, the ribbon 17.- of the shortest arm 14 is shown as depressed to functional position in front ofthe'platen andin the line of type about the axis shaft 3. The corresponding levers at each end are connected for unitary action by means of the nested sleeves 23, 24

fand 25, mounted for independent rotary movement upon said axis shaft 3, and upon each other as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. These sleeves at each end project into the housings 10 to different distances and each carries its respective pair of levers 20, 21 and 22. One end of lever 20'is connected with the ribbon carrying arm 14 by a stud 20 which slidably plays in a slot 14" in a crank-heel 14 of said arm. The corresponding lever 20 at the other end of the platen is similarly connected. Similarly, the lever pair 21 are connected with the pair of. ribbon arms 15 by a stud 21 slidably playing in a slot 15",in

the crank-heel 15' of said arms. Likewise the lever pair 22 are connected with the ribbon arms 16 by a stud 22 slidably playing in a slot 16" in the crank-heel 16 of said arms. The other or free ends of the levers 20, 21. and 22 at one nd of the platen are provided with laterally extending operating pins 26, 27 and28 respectively.

It will now be seen that if pressure be applied in one direction to operating pin 26 to turn the sleeve-connected pair of levers 20 upon their pivotal centers. said levers, slidably connected with the eccentrically pivoted pair of arms 14 will move said arms and carry their mani'folding ribbon 17 down to functional position: So, too, with regard to operating pins 27 and 28 of levers 21 and 22 and the arms 15 and 16 and ribbons-18 and 19 respectively, all as shown in Fig. 13.

' ing' the compartment and playing are, as is customary moans d In order to apply suchfpressure zas above mentioned to the operating pins 26,27 and 28, in such wise as to successively select and move into function the manifolding ribbons for single or plural carbon copies, and to return them to inoperative position, there is the following mechanism. v Mounted rotatably upon one axis shaft 3 and within the frame journal 2.

is a sleeve/'29 whichcarries aknob for,

turning it. This sleeve which as seen in Fig. 1 is, for the purpose of assembling,

made in connected sections, extends through the outer wall 'ofthe fixed casing 15, and through the outerfwallof the housing 10. In this housing 10 is a partition 31 which provides a separate compartment 31 in said housing, and into; this. compartment the sleeve 29 extends. :AlSO into this compartment the operating pins 26, 27 and 28 ofthe levers 20, 21 and 22 project, said pins crossin an arcuateslot 32 in its inner wall, Figs. 8, 9 and 10, and in a similar slot 33 in its outer wall, Fig. 12, 'said'slots being concentric with the'axis shaft 3 and the pivotal centers of the levers 20, 21 and 22. Upon theouter wall of the housing is a spring plate 34, Fig. 12, which by means of..s0ckets 3 1; is adapted to engage the ends of the operating pins 26, 27 and 28in order to 'yieldably hold said pins at their extremes of movement and thus toot-h of the pawl that when the pawl is riding over the closely assembled lineof the yieldably lock the manifoldi'ng ribbons in their elevated and depressed positions.

The inner end section of the-sleeve 29 within the compartment 31 of the housing '10 has a crank 35 to which is pivoted the selective pawl 36 having. a controlling spring 37. The .pawl 36 has a front extension'or toe 36 which is so proportioned in length and in relative position to the actuatlng operating pins 26, 27 and 28 as in Fig. 9, the toe 36f will hold the pawltooth up from engaging the pins 28 and 27 which it first "reaches and will.then, by passing from the last pin 26, permit the pawl to drop down behind said pin as seen in Fig. 10, and thus carry the first or shortest-arm 14 and its ribbon 17 down to functional position as Seen in Fig. 14. Thus by turningIthe-knob 30 and the sleeve 29 partially, the ribbon 17 nearest the-platen is depressed for use. A return movement of the knob and sleeve withdraws the pawl-36 from the advanced pin 26 and said pawl rides back over the -two pins 27 and 28 to its initial position. A forward movement once more causes the end of the pawl to again rideoverlthe pin 28 first encountered, and to drop -in behind the'pin 27 and thus by engaging'said pin and moving it forward,jthe second ribbon 18 is brought down for use. Afirepetition of .the operation will bring down the third ribbon.19, into functional position. The crank 25 of the rotatable sleeve 29 hasfapick up or return arm 38 which by coming behind the foremost pin 26 as in Fig. 8 will lift the gline of pins andithus restore-all thefribbons to elevated position out of use. Y V

In this, selective mechanism there is .a

feature of novelty nowto bepointed out. On

account of the toev piece 36' 'ofth'e pawl 36 being required toride the pawl tooth over the close line of-pins 26, 27, 28 as in'Fig. 9,

in suchjwise asto only engage and pick up the front member of the hue as in Fig. 10

its presence'opens up a difiiculty on succeed- .ing forward strokes offthepaw'l, for it Wlll be seen that having. left thelirst pin 26in its advanced position, and having returned for and being engaged .in carrying forward the second. pin 27 theextended toe 36 of the pawl would necessarily reach and ride up on the advanced first pin 26 and so release "its-engagement with the second pin 27 before said second pin had been carried to its forward limit; and this would mean the failure to carry the second manifolding ribbon 18 fully down to place. To prevent this I provide for a wider spread of the pins 26, '27 and 28, in their advanced position, as seen in Fig. 13, than that of thefirst position, as seen in Fig. 3. This wider spread' is effected by the varied relation of theslidable stud andslo t connections between the levers 20, 21 and 22 and the crank-heels of the arms 1&1, 15 and 16 as shown in Figs. 3 and 13. From this it follows that when each of the ribbons 17, 18 and '19 has, in fact, reachedits proper functional position, the pins 26,.

27 and 28 respectively pertaining to the ribbons, have, byreason of said slidable connections, beencarried forward to suchrelative distances that instead of being assembled in close line-formation as at first, they are wide-spread, as seen in Fig. 13. Therefore,'before the toe 36 of the pawl36 reaches the pin previouslyadvanced the pawl will have carried the second pin to its limit, thus insuring the proper position of its corresponding ribbon. To providefor both the definite and the variable line-spacing movement of the platen, the mechanism shown at the left hand end, is in many respects similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,467,532 heretofore referred to but in order 'to disclose wherein it differs, itrwill be necessary to repeat much of the mechanism previously patented. Referring to land 5,39 indicates a supporting disk fitted to and adapted for initial rotative adjustment, by means'of a set screw 40,, Fig; '1, upon the impact, when in functional position. There is a permanent rotative but indirect connec tionbetween the axis shaft 3 and the platen proper, to provide for the variable line spacing movement of the platen, by turning said shaft byeither of its end knobs 3. This connection comprises a member 41 with an internal gear 41 said member being fast, as seen in Fig. 1,-on the end of the axis shaft 3; a counter shaft 42, Fig. 5, having a. pinion 43 on-its outer end meshing with the internal gear 41' of member 41, said counter'shaft passing through the fixed casing 4 and through the inner housing and entering the platen; a pinion 44 on the inner end of said shaft; and an internal gear 45 fast to the platen. Thus when the shaft 3 is turned, the platen will be freely turned also and this provides for variable line spacing.

To provide for definite line spacing, there is the ratchet 46 rotatably mounted upon the peripheryof the supporting disk 39. The ratchetis formed with a clutch chamber 47 which encircles and is spaced from the periphery of the member 41. vIn this clutch chamber is an expanding or split clutch 48, see Fi s. 2 and 11, between the severed and spaced ends of which a clutch wedge 49 on the member 41 is adapted to play. The

shaft 3 as previously stated is lon itudinally slidablein its journals, and may lie linearly moved from either end by pushingin or pulling out the end lmobs 3. When definite line spacin movement of the platen is required, the axis shaft 3 is moved linearly to cause the clutch wedge 49 of its member 41 to enter between and force apart the ends of the clutch 48 so that said clutch, expanding frictionally engages the clutch chamber 47 of the ratchet 46. Therefore, whether the ratchet be primarily and definitely turned by the usual lever, not herein shown, whereby through the connections comprising the clutch 48 shaft member 41, counter shaft 42, and the several gears, the platen is turned for definite line spacing, or conversely whether the shaft 3 be turned and the .clutched ratchet turned with it, the controlshown is especially advantageous in that its 1 members are always in position for interengagement without regard to the rotative po sition of the platen. In Figs. 1 and 4 is shown a spring clip 50 adapted .to yieldably hold the shaft 3 at the extremes of its linear adjustment. In order to oscillate the manifolding ribbons crosswise with relation to the line of t pe impact, so'that they may be used throughout their entire width there is on the counter shaft 42 a cam 51 which as seen in Figs. 5 and 6 lies within the slot 52 in the outer wall of the housing 10 through which said shaft passes. Therefore when the counter shaft 42 is turned to rotate the platen, the cam'51 on said shaft moving in the slotted wall of the housing will rock said housing on its axis 10', and as this housing is connected by the sleeve 11 with the housing 10 at the opposite end, both housings will rock. As the housings carry the arms 14, 15 and, 16, the latter will be moved and the ribbons 17, 18 and 19 carried by the arms will be oscillated crosswise of the line of type impact.

In order to oscillate the ribbons lengthwise of the line of typeimpact, and thereby to present fresh surfaces of said ribbons in spaces between previous line impacts, there is on the counter shaft 42 a flange 53, Fig. 7, the vertical face of which coacts with a cor responding cam surface 54 on the wall ofthe connected housings linearly in one direction, the return movement being provided for by a spring 55 shown at the right hand end in'Fig. 1, said spring being seated between the fixed casing 4 and the housing 10. Thus the arms 14, 15, 16 and the ribbons 17, 18, 19 move back and forth in the line of type impact. As both crosswise and endwise oscillations take place at the same time, it is evident that each ribbon will be used up over its entire surface.

. As the ribbons, when in elevated position out of use, lie in thepath of the uprising printed sheets, and as they move with the spacing movement of theplaten, it is necessary to afford some protection to the printed sheet so that itwill not be blurred or soiled on the ribbons and will not itself interfere with the elevated ribbons. To effect these results, I place on'abar 56 of the platen carriage back of the platen the guide plates 57 which serve to separate the printed sheet from the ribbons. See Figs 1, 3, 13 and 15.

The bar56 above mentioned is a rocking bar and carries the paper fingers 58 which hold the sheets to the platen surface. In order to move the fingers to the platen there is the manually operated lever 59, Figs. 1 and 15,

on the rocking bar; but when the ribbons are thrown up to an elevated position, the

aper fingers are lifted again'automatically, y means of the .interengaging gear members 60 and 61, Fig. -15, on the rocking bar 56v and the lever 62 respectively, which lever is operated by the contact of the finger 63 on the rotatable sleeve 29.

In Fig. 16 is shown one of the nested. sleeves, which connect the operating levers at each end. For convenience I have designated this sleeve as 25, carrying atone end the operating lever 22 with its pin- 28 as in Fig. 18 and at,the other end the corresponding lever 22 of the pairasin Fig. 17.

For assembling purposes these connecting sleeves are made in sections dove-tailed together as seen at 64 in Fig. 16.

I claim 1. A manifolding platen'comprising a-rotatable platen member; a connected pair of peripherally slotted housings one at each end of and independent of the platen member; an arm' pivotally connected to and within each of said housings and thence exi tending through and adapted to play in the 25' slotted periphery thereof; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer ex-- tremities of said pair of arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and re-- moved from functional position in the line of type impact; and means for linearly shifting said pair of housings to reciprocate the inanifolding memberslengthwise of the line of type impact.

2. A manifolding platen. .comprisnga rotatable platen member; a'connected pairof peripherallyslotted housings one at each :"end of and independent of-the-platen member; an arm pivotally connected to and line-of type impact.

3. -A.mani'fo1ding platen comprising arotatable platen member; a connected pair of peripherally slotted housings one at each end of and independent of the platen member; an arm pivotally connected to and within each of said housings and thence extendin throu h and adapted to play in the slotte perip ery thereof; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer extremities of said pair of arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and removed from functional position in the line of type impact; and means dependent upon the rotation of the platen member for linearly shifting said pair of housings to reciprocate the manifolding members lengthwise of the line of typeflimpact. v i.

4. A manifolding platen comprising a rotatable platen memberra connected pair of peripherally slotted housings one at each end of and independent of the platen member; an arm pivotally connected to and within each of said housingsand thence ex-- tending through and adapted to play in the slotted periphery thereof; a 'manlfolding member carried by and between the outer extremities of said pair of arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and removed from functional position in the line of type impact; and means dependent upon the rotation of the platen member for both l1nearly shifting and axially oscillating said pair of housings to reciprocate the manifolding -members lengthwise and crosswise of the lineof typeimpact.

5. A manifolding platen comprising a rotatable platen member; a rotatable axis shaft extending through and independent of saidplaten member; a pair of peripherally slotted housings connected through the platen member one at each end and independent of said platen member, said pairof housings being mounted for linear slidable movement lengthwise of the axis shaft; an arm pivotally connected to and within each housing and thence extending throu h and adapted toplay in the slotted perip cry of the housing a manifolding member carried by and between the outer extremities of said pair of arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and removed from functional position, in the line of type impact; a counter shaft extendin through one of said housings and'into the p aten member, and geared to said member to turn it, the outer end of said counter shaft being geared to and turned by the axis shaft; and cam members on said counter shaft and the housing it passes through for shifting the pair of housings linearly.

6. A manifoldin platen comprising a rotatable platen mem r; a'rotatable axis shaft extending through and independent of said platen member; a pair of peripherally slotted housings connected through the platen member one at each endand independent of said platen member, said pair of housings being mounted for oscillation; about and linear slidable movement lengthwise of the axis shaft; anarm pivotally connected to and within each housing and thence extending through and adapted to play in the slotte periphery of the housing; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer extremities of said pair of arms and ada ted by their movement to be placed in an re? moved from functional position in the line of type impact; a counter shaft extending through one. of said housings and into the platen member, and geared to said member to turn it, the outer end of said counter through and said platen member rotating ried by and upon said casings; a peripherally slotted housing lying within and concentric with each casing, said housings being mounted for both axial oscillation and linear reciprocation and connected through the platen member for unitary action; an arm pivotally connected to and within each housing and thence extending through and adapted to play in the slotted peripheries of. the housing and casing; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer extremities of said arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and removed from functional position in the line of type in1- pact; and means for moving the connected pair of housings to vary the manifolding members with relation to the line of type impact. p

8. A manifoldin platen comprising a rotatable platen memlier; a rotatable axis shaft extending through and independent of said platen member; means for rotating the platen member by the rotation of the shaft: peripherally slotted fixed casings on the platen carriage of the machine, one at each end of the platen member, said shaft passing through and said platen member rotating upon said casings; a peripherally slotted housing lying. within and concentric with each casing, said housings being mounted for both axial oscillation and linear reciprocation and connected through the platen member for unitary action; an arm pivotallyconnected to and Within each housing and thence extending through and adapted to play in the slotted-peripheries ofthe hous ing and casin a manifolding member car ifolding members with relation to the line of type impact.

9. A manifolding platen comprising a rotatable platen member; an axis shaft connected with said member for turning it; a pair of peripherally slotted housings one at each end of and independent of the platen member; a plurality of arms pivoted in by their movement to be placed in and re moved from functional position in the line of type impact; a plurality of levers within each housing, pivotally centered about the axis shaft, the group of levers in one hous-' ing being connected through the platen member with the group in the other housing;

' a slidable connection between said levers and the corresponding arms ineach housing: and means for selectively and successively operating the group of levers in one housing between the outer extremities 10. A manifolding platen comprising a' rotatable platen member; an axis shaft connected with said member for turning it: a pair of peripherally slotted housings one at each end of and independent of the platen member; a plurality of arms pivot-ed in common within and to-each housing in a line eccentric to the axis shaft, said arms thence extendin through and playing in the peripheral slots of the housing; a manifolding member carried by and between the extremities of each pair of arms and adapted by their movement to be placed in and removed from functional position in the line of type impact: a pluralityof levers within each housing. pivotally centered about the axis shaft, the group of with the axis shaft; an independently r0 tary member mounted on said axis shaft and extending into the housing;-and apawl carried by the lnner end of said rotary memher and adapted to selectively engage said lever pins. I

11. A manifolding-platen comprising a platen member having an axis shaft a plurality of connected pairs of swinging arms at the platen ends and pivotal-1y mounted eccentrically to the platen axis; a manifold ing member carried by and between the outer extremities of each pair of arms and adapted by their movementto -be placed in and removed from the line of type in1pact';" a plurality of levers pivota'lly mounted" about the platen axis and connected izi means pairs through the platen member; a slidable connection between one end of each lever and its corresponding arm, said connection being relatively varied to adapt the other ends of the levers to spread at one limit of their movement; pins on said other ends of the lever; a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft; and a pawl carried by said rotatable member, adapted to selectively engage said pins, said pawl having a toe extension for guiding it in its selection of said pins when in close line formation at one limit and avoiding said pins when spread at the other limit.

12. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; an axis shaft longitudinally slidable with relation to said member; connections between the shaft and platen memher for turning the latter; an independently rotatable line spacing ratchet; and means dependent upon the longitudinally slidable movement of the axis shaft for rotatably connecting and disconnecting said ratchet with. said shaft.

13. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; an axis shaft longitudinally slidable with relation to, said member; con nections between the shaft and platen memher for turning the latter; an independently rotatable line spacing ratchet; and means dependent upon the longitudinally slidable movement of the axis shaft for 'rotatably eonnectingand disconnecting said ratchet with said shaft comprising a clutch chamber carried by the ratchet; an expansible split clutch seated in said chamber; a member fixed onthe axis shaft; and a wedge carried by said member adapted to coact with the severed ends of the split clutch to expand and to relieve said clutch. i

14. A manifolding platen comprising an assemblage of a platen member, an axis shaft, movable arms, and manifoldingmembers carried by said arms and adapted to be placed in and removed from functional position in the llne of type impact; and means for rotatively adjusting said assem blage upon a member of the platen-carriage frame to initially define the functional position of the manifolding members with rela tion to the line of type impact.

15. In a manifolding device for typewriters, the combination of swinging arms mounted on the platen carriage of themachine, said arms carrying manifolding membersadapted to be depressed to functional position in front of the platen in the line of type impact and to be elevated there from; means for operating said arms; paper guide fingers mounted on the platen carriage and automatic means for separating said fingers from' the platen as the arms swing to carry their manifolding members to elevated position.

16. 1 n a manifolding device for typewriters, the combination-of swingin arms mounted on the platen carriage of t e machine, said arms carrying manifolding members adapted to be depressedto functional position in front of the platen in-,the line of type impact and to be elevated there from; a rotatable member for operating said arms; a rocking bar on the platen. carriage; paper guide fingers carried by said bar; and connections between said rotatable member and said rocking bar for separating said fingers from the platen as the arms swing to carry their manifolding members to ele-.

vated position.

17. In a manifolding device for typewriters, the combination of swinging arms mounted on the platen carriage of the machine, said arms carrying manifolding members adapted to be depressed to functional position in front of the platen in the line of type impact, and to be elevated therefrom; a member mounted on the platen carriage above and back of the platen; and

guide plates carried by said member for separating the outfeeding printed sheets from the elevated manifolding members.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

'MALCOLM L. COSSITT. 

